Motorcycle racing enthusiasts can look for a dash of Italian roaring through the English countryside during the upcoming Isle of Man TT.

Ducati will be back in force at the legendary racing event with Michael Rutter and his British Superbike Championship team ridersmotorcycles.com using machinery from the legendary Italian manufacturer in four out of the five solo races.

With support from Bathams Brewery and Black Horse Finance, Rutter will campaign his 1098R Ducati, fully updated to 2010 specification, in both the Superbike and Senior races. He will also race the team’s 749RS in the two Supersport races.

The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man since 1907. Its run in a time-trial format on public roads closed for racing with the first race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and was called the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy. The event was organized by the Auto-Cycle Club over 10 laps of the St. John's Short Course of 15 miles 1,470 yards for road-legal touring motor-cycles with exhaust silencers, saddles, pedals and mud-guards.

Rutter last rode a Ducati at the TT in 1996 and the last official Ducati effort on the Island was in 2003, when John McGuinness rode the 998cc MonsterMob machine.

Rutter’s recent outings at the TT in 2007 and 2009 were marred by injury and machinery issues. His 2009 TT was particularly difficult as he split with his NW200 Yamaha squad on the eve of the event and arrived in the Isle of Man still building his own Suzuki. Despite that, he still lapped consistently in the 125mph bracket with a best result of seventh in the Pokerstars Senior race.

The return to Ducati, with a fully supported effort, should see him back to his best.

“We’ve really tried to encourage as many manufacturers as possible to come to the TT so that there is lots of variety for fans on the grid,” Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said, “Ducati is one of the great names in the TT’s history and with Michael Rutter on board as well, it is very exciting to see them coming back to the Isle of Man with such a competitive proposition.”

Bringing that Ducati name back to the Isle of Man, Rutter, 37, has a strong pedigree around the Mountain Course having taken victory in the 1998 Supersport race and recording eight other podiums. He currently holds the 18th fastest lap time.

“I’m really pleased to be returning to the TT with Ducati and I’m really excited and optimistic about our chances. Obviously last year didn’t quite go to plan with all the problems so I’m eager to come back with a fully competitive package and show what we can really do,” Rutter said, "When we went racing with the Ducati at the end of 2009 it was all a bit last-minute and very rushed, but I could see there was a lot of potential with the bikes and I think we will be really competitive next season with updated engines and electronics.”

“I’m looking forward to riding the 1098R around the course and I’m sure we’ll be right in the thick of the action,' he says enthusiastically, "It’s also great to have the use of the 749 for the two Supersport races.”

“It has proved how competitive it is at British Championship level and I can’t wait to take on the 600cc machines on the V-Twin in the two Supersport races at the TT as well.”